After a short break from footy to celebrate Thai New Year the Tigers launched back into the domestic season with a thrilling encounter at TSI. You would have expected the skills and effort to be lacking this week, especially given the scorching temperature, but instead it was the opposite, with both teams giving 110% and some fine footy on display.

Jmac returned from injury for the Panthers and put his ankle to the test with a fierce battle up front with Hooey. He got straight into the action with some great grabs and a goal. The Jackal’s front man, Welby was also nursing a heavily strapped hamstring but he battled through and kicked one for gold. In the first quarter there was just one goal in it. 

It was a similar story in the second quarter with the Jackal’s this time playing with the wind and kicking two to peg back the Panthers. One of those goals went to the Gaelic import, Shane, who ran hard to put himself in the goal square to receive the accurate pass from Welby. He slammed it through on the run and the Jackals got around him with back slaps and head rubs. The Panthers also kicked two and at the half-time break there was just one goal in it.

The third quarter was also tight. Millhouse, the Tiger’s most successful North American player was doing a great job to close down Mani’s run for the Jackals and Big Nate was strong in the ruck. But as said in the intro the skills were up this week. Jay kicked a wonder goal for the Panthers, on the run from a tight angle to keep the scores close. There was just one point in it going into the last quarter.

In the final quarter the Panthers scored first before a flurry of goals saw the momentum shift towards the Jackals. Within the space of two minutes it seemed they had snatched it but a game like this was not going to end in a whimper. A final goal to Jame had the Panthers nervous but they held on to grab a tough win. 

It was a great day of footy for the Tigers. There was a good turnout for Auskick and the women’s match was great too, with the Panthers defeating the Jackals 9.7.61 to 5.3.33. With ANZAC Day coming up this weekend the mood around the club is great. How good is footy in Asia!

The Golden Jackals (9.10.64 ) defeated the Black Panthers (9.3.57)
Golden Jackals	Black Panthers
Hooey – 4 Welby – 2 Max – 1 Shane – 1 First – 1	Pez – 4 Jay – 2 Jmac – 1 Mani – 1 Jame – 1